U.S. patent application number 11/381547 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for easy pour bag.
Invention is credited to Robert A. Zoss.
Application Number | 20060285781 11/381547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37480431 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060285781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zoss; Robert A. |
December 21, 2006 |
EASY POUR BAG
Abstract
Vertical fill and form bags fabricated from flexible packaging
film are provided with at least one transverse seal at an oblique
angle. Upon opening, the oblique angled seal provides a natural use
easy pour dispensing feature. The bag is intuitively and
ergonomically easy to use to facilitate controlled pouring without
spilling. The bag are especially useful for bulk particulate
contents especially consumer food products such as ready-to-eat
cereals for use in food service venues such as universities and
hospitals. Apparatus and method of preparation for the productions
of the easy pour bulk bags are described including using transverse
sealers at least one of which is oriented at an angle such as to
impart the oblique angled transverse seal.
Inventors: |
Zoss; Robert A.; (Plymouth,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
P.O. BOX 1113
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440
US
|
Family ID: |
37480431 |
Appl. No.: |
11/381547 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60684769 |
May 26, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/120 ;
383/200; 53/451; 53/551 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20130101;
B65B 9/213 20130101; B65B 51/303 20130101; B65B 9/2056
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/120 ;
053/451; 053/551; 383/200 |
International
Class: |
B65B 9/06 20060101
B65B009/06; B65D 30/20 20060101 B65D030/20; B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A bag article, comprising: a longitudinally extending body
fabricated from a flexible packaging film having an upper and a
lower openings; a first or lower transverse closure 20 for closing
the lower opening; and, an opposed upper transverse closure 24 for
closing the upper opening wherein the bag 10 is further
characterized in that at least one transverse closure is at an
oblique angle relative to the longitudinally extending body.
2. The bag article of claim 1 wherein the upper transverse closure
is at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinally extending
body.
3. The bag article of 2 claim wherein the upper transverse closure
is at an acute oblique angle.
4. The bag article of claim 3 wherein the acute oblique angle
ranges from about 10.degree. to 45.degree..
5. The bag article of claim 2 wherein the lower transverse closure
is at an angle equal to that the upper transverse closure.
6. The bag article of claim wherein the upper transverse closure
includes a pair of flaps ranging from about 10-20 mm in length.
7. The bag article of claim 4 the acute oblique angle ranges from
about 20.degree. -30.degree..
8. The bag article of claim wherein each transverse closure is a
heat seal.
9. The bag article of claim wherein the body includes a
longitudinally extending lap or fin seal.
10. Apparatus useful in the fabrication of containers having an
obliquely angled transverse closure, comprising: a means for
providing a continuous ribbon of flexible film packaging material
36 having opposed free edges into the form of a longitudinally
extending tube having an upper open end and a lower open end; a
means 30 for forming the tube into a container having at least one
transverse seal at an oblique angle; and, a means for filling the
container with contents 44.
11. The apparatus of claim of claim 10 wherein the means for
forming into a container includes at least one pair of sealing jaws
oriented at an oblique angle to the tube for forming a transverse
seal to an open end of the tube.
12. The apparatus of claim of claim 11 wherein the means for
forming a container includes a second pair of sealing jaws oriented
at an oblique angle to the tube for forming a second transverse
seal to a second open end of the tube.
13. The apparatus of claim of claim 13 wherein each of the first
and second pair of sealing jaws are parallel to each other and each
are at an acute angle relative to the longitudinally extending tube
ranging from about 15.degree. to 30.degree..
14. The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising a slitter
knife positioned intermediate the first and second sealing jaws
pairs and oriented to provide a transverse cut to the tube at an
acute angle equal to the upper and lower sealing jaws pairs to
section the tube into individual containers.
15. A methods of fabricating sealed bag or pouch fabricated from a
flexible film packaging material having an obliquely angled
transverse closure at, comprising: providing a continuous supply of
flexible film packaging material in the form of a continuous roll
or ribbon of film; forming the packaging material into a bag having
a body with at least one open end sealed with a first transverse
closure, said transverse closure being at an oblique angle to the
body.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the oblique angle is an acute
angle ranging from about 10.degree. to 45.degree..
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the bag includes a second open
end having a second transverse closure being at an oblique angle to
the body parallel to the first transverse closure.
18. The method of claim of claim 17 additionally including the step
of filling the bag with a particulate material.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the particulate material is a
dried food product.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the dried food product is a
Ready-to-Eat cereal.
21. The article of claim 1 fabricated from a flexible film
providing moisture barrier properties.
22. The article of claim 21 wherein the lower transverse closure is
at a right angle.
23. The article of claim 21 wherein the body includes a front major
surface and an opposed rear major surface and wherein the front
major surface includes graphics positioned proximately below the
upper transverse closure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. 119(e)(1) of a provisional patent application, Ser. No.
60/684,769, filed May 26, 2005, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the art of packaging, to
packaged products and to their methods of preparation. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an easy pour bag
fabricated from a flexible packaging film especially for food
products.
[0003] A wide variety of products are packaged in bags or pouches
fabricated from flexible packaging film especially vertical form
fill and seal bags. These packaged bag products are often for bulk
quantities of contained materials, especially dry materials. For
example, bulk quantities can be for household use such as for water
softener salt, cement, garden or landscaping materials or
chemicals, (e.g., fertilizer, sand, mulch), pet food, etc. Bulk
quantities can be packaged for commercial or industrial
applications. Among commercial applications, the present invention
finds particular suitability for use in food service applications.
For example, a wide variety of food products are packaged in bulk
for food service venues such as cafeterias (especially college or
university or military facilities, hospitals or nursing homes,
etc.), hotels, and restaurants.
[0004] In particular, ready-to-eat or breakfast cereals are
typically packaged in bulk for use at food service venues. Once
opened, the contents can be used to fill particular food dispensers
(See, for example, US Des 384,863 "Bulk Dispenser For Comestibles"
issued Oct. 14, 1997 to Danemayer or US Des. 390,753 "Bulk
Dispenser For Comestibles" issued Feb. 17, 1998 to Danemayer, or
U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,754 "Bulk Dispenser For Comestibles" issued
Oct. 27, 1998).
[0005] Conventional pouches or bags include closure transverse
seals or closure generally at right angles to the bag body. While
useful, opening and dispensing the contents from such bulk opened
bag can be awkward resulting in spillage of the food product. Not
only does such spillage result in lost product but also spilled
product requires clean-up. With a conventional bag, when the bag
of, for example, cereal is poured into a bulk dispenser the
intuitive way for the user to hold the bag is by the main body
holding both the bag material and the cereal. This is awkward and
adds to the mess that is generated when pouring. When the top seal
is changed from the conventional 90.degree. or right angle
(relative to the main bag body) to an oblique angle as in the
present invention, it becomes more natural for the user to grab the
bag by the side. The bag forms a natural handle increasing the ease
of pouring and reducing the probability of spilling cereal. This
natural handle is a benefit resulting from the top seal being
placed at an oblique angle. Also, while such problems of
conventional bags and the advantages of the present easy pour bag
are applicable to the filling of Ready-To-Eat cereal dispensers,
such problems of conventional bags and advantages of the present
bags are even more applicable when the bags are used to add
contents to individual cereal bowls in large numbers such as for
school cafeterias.
[0006] Thus, it would be desirable for such bulk pouches to include
a feature that facilitates dispensing therefrom. Moreover, it would
be desirable for such an easy pour feature be intuitively easy to
use without need for instruction.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention addresses these and other concerns in
the structure of bag packages. In one article aspect, the present
invention resides in containers or packages such as bags or pouches
10 fabricated from a flexible packaging film having an easy pour
feature. The bag 10 has a longitudinally extending body 12 having
an upper and a lower openings. The bag includes a first or lower
transverse flexible closure 20 (e.g., seam, or seal) for closing
the lower opening and an opposed upper flexible transverse closure
24 for closing the upper opening. The bag 10 is further
characterized in that at least one transverse closure is at an
oblique angle relative to the longitudinally extending body.
[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus 100 useful in
the fabrication of containers 10 of the present invention.
Apparatus 100 includes a means for providing a continuous ribbon of
flexible film packaging material 36; a means 30 for forming the
film material into a container having at least one transverse seal
at an oblique angle, and a means for filling the container with
contents 44.
[0009] The present invention provides methods of producing the
present package including forming at least a first transverse
closure to a bag having a body with at least one open end, said
transverse closure being at an oblique angle to the body.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the method and
apparatus for loading bags in accordance with the present invention
will become more readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment thereof when taken in
conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer
to corresponding parts in the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The illustrative embodiment may best be described by
reference to the accompanying drawings where:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a rear plan view of a flexible film bag of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a bag of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is side view taken in the direction of line 3-3 of
FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an plan view of an easy pour spout feature of an
opened bag a flexible film package of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5A is an enlarged partial view of the easy pour spout
feature of an opened bag.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a flexible film bag of the
present invention having a single obliquely angled transverse
seal.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a flexible film bag of the
present invention having a pair of obtuse oblique angled transverse
upper and lower seals.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a combined perspective and front elevation view of
illustrative apparatus for fabricating and filling flexible pouches
in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the
Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and
dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the
following teachings of the present invention have been read and
understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional
proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and
similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art
after the following teachings of the present invention have been
read and understood.
[0020] Where used in the various Figures of the drawings, the same
numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the
terms "top", "bottom", "first", "second", "side", "end", "edge",
"front", "back", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", and similar
terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms
have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it
would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only
to facilitate describing the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention provides to easy pour bags
characterized by at least one transverse closure being at an
oblique angle; to apparatus for forming such bags; and, to methods
of their preparation.
[0022] Throughout the specification and claims, percentages are by
weight and temperatures in degrees Centigrade unless otherwise
indicated. Each of the referenced patents and patent applications
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0023] The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail
by way of the following detailed description, but it should be
understood that the present invention is not to be construed as
being limited thereto.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings and especially to FIG. 1, an
easy pour container according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated
10. In the preferred form, the container 10 is a flexible or
pliable bag or pouch such as fabricated from a flexible packaging
film 13 especially for food products. While throughout the
specification and claims particular attention is paid to larger
bags such as for food service, both smaller containers or pouches
as well as other embodiments are contemplated. Bag 10 includes a
longitudinally extending body 12 having an a first or lower opening
sealed by a first or lower transverse closure or seal 20 and
opposed second or upper opening sealed by a second or lower
transverse closure or seal 22.
[0025] The body 12 includes opposed major surface such as a first
or front major surface 14 and a second or rear major surface 16.
The body 12 can be fabricated by any flexible packaging film
material 13. Single ply flexible packaging film materials such as
polyethylene or polypropylene or various blends are popular for
materials that are not sensitive and do not require special
protection, e.g., water softener salt or sand. More sophisticated
food packaging flexible films are well known such as various
laminated or multi-layered films that provide particular
combinations of desired packaging features. For example, for food
packages for Ready-to-Eat cereal products ("RTE" cereals"),
composite or laminated packaging flexible film materials are well
known that are clear thus revealing their contents yet nonetheless
provide high levels of moisture barrier properties. In other
variations, the packaging film material 13 can be opaque such
having a foil layer for improved or superior moisture barrier
properties. Various combinations of transparent and opaque
packaging films are known and contemplated for use herein.
[0026] In the preferred form, the body 12 can be in the form of a
tube. In certain variations, the tube is formed of flexible film
material 13 already formed into a tube and having a single
continuous curved surface such as forming a cylinder. Referring now
briefly to FIG. 7, more commonly, the flexible film material is
provided in the form of a continuous roll or ribbon 19 having
opposed free side edges 21A and 21B or margins. The film material
13 is advanced around a forming horn or funnel 40 (as described in
more detail below) and is formed into the tube by sealing the
opposed free edges 21A and 21B together to form a longitudinally
extending seal such as the rear lap or fin seal 18 depicted in FIG.
1. Typically such a longitudinal seal 18 is positioned on the major
face surface that is used as the rear major face panel such that
the seal 18 interferes less with packaging graphics.
[0027] In other variations (not shown), two ribbons or rolls of
packaging material can be provided with opposed side seals to form
the package body and without a rear longitudinal seal. In still
other variations (not shown), a tube is formed by sealing the two
free edges 21A and 21B together in a single fin seal to provide a
body having only a single longitudinal seal (typically a side seal)
to provide a tube having one curvilinear side edge and an opposed
side seal but no front or rear seals.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, the present package includes a
first or lower transverse flexible end closure 20 (e.g., seam, or
seal) for closing the lower bag opening and an opposed upper
flexible transverse end closure 22 for closing the bag upper
opening. The bag is further characterized in that at least one
transverse end closure is at an oblique angle relative 24 to the
longitudinally extending body. In the preferred form, the at least
one oblique angle transverse end closure is the upper closure. In
more preferred forms, both the upper and lower transverse closures
are at an oblique angle. In the most preferred embodiment, both the
upper and lower transverse seal closures are at an acute oblique
angle of the same value such that the upper and lower transverse
seals are parallel as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. This allows for one
set of sealing jaws to perform forming of both the lower and upper
seals 20 and 22.
[0029] In other variations such as seen in FIG. 5, the bag 10
includes at least one transverse closure or seal at an acute
oblique angle such as the upper transverse closure depicted. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the lower transverse closure,
however, is at a conventional right angle such as the top seal 22
depicted. Thus, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 has only a single
transverse closure at an oblique angle. While useful, the
embodiment depicted is not as easily fabricated and requires
multiple sealing jaws for fabrication; namely one at right angles
and a second set oriented at an acute angle.
[0030] FIG. 2 depicts that in the preferred form the oblique angled
closure is at an acute angle 24 ranging from about 10.degree. to
about 45.degree., preferably about 15.degree. to 30.degree.. At an
acute angle of less than 10.degree. the spout formed upon opening
of the bag for use forms a pour spout that provides less
functionality or improvement over the conventional rectangular bag
form. At a transverse seal angle of greater than 45.degree., the
bags 10 become increasingly difficult to pack in a rectangular
cardboard case. Comparable obtuse oblique angles can be used (see
FIG. 6) and can range from about 100.degree. to 135.degree. except
that the pour spout formed is to the opposite bag side.
[0031] The bag 10 can includes graphics 26 preferably on the front
major surface or panel 14. In preferred form, the graphics are
positioned proximate upper flexible transverse end closure 22 so as
to naturally indicate or suggest to the user which end is the upper
end. (By proximate is meant less than 1/3 the height of the bag or
the distance between the upper and lower transverse seals.) FIGS. 1
and 2 further illustrates that the bag 10 can include a pair of end
opening flaps 27 proximate upper flexible transverse end closure.
Conveniently, such flaps 27 can extend for about 10-20 mm in length
beyond the closure 20. Such flaps 27 facilitate controlled opening
of the end product by pulling apart seal closure 22. In other
variations (not shown), the container 10 can be provided with other
easy open features such as cuts, nicks, tear-open strings and the
like. In other variations, the film material can be selected to
either facilitate or resist tearing depending upon particular needs
of end use applications. In still other variations, the bags can be
provided with reclosure features such as zip-lock bands.
[0032] Referring now briefly to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the
upper transverse seal closure or seam 22 can include an upper pair
of left side gussets 28 as well as an upper pair of right side
gussets (not shown). Likewise the lower transverse seal 20 can
include a right and left pairs of side gussets (not shown). The
transverse seal side gussets generally facilitate bag formation.
However, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the upper pair of left
side gussets 28 can also serve to form an easy pour spout feature
29 upon opening of the upper transverse closure 22.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the package 10 is configured for
food service to hold about 0.75-1.5 kg of RTE cereal. Conveniently,
the package has a fill volume of about 3-5 liters.
[0034] Referring once again to FIG. 7 there is shown an apparatus
useful in the fabrication of containers 10 of the present invention
generally designated by reference numeral 100. Apparatus 100 can
include a means for providing a continuous ribbon of flexible film
packaging material 36; a means 30 for forming the film material
into a container having at least one transverse seal at an oblique
angle; and, a means for filling the container with contents 44. The
forming mechanism 30 has been denoted generally in block form.
[0035] The packaging film supply means 36 can supply the film 13 in
the form of a tube. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 5,
however, the film supply means 36 can supply the flexible packaging
film material 13 in the form of a continuous ribbon 19 having
opposed free side edges 21A and 21B.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment wherein the film 13 is supplied
in the form of a continuous ribbon and not in the form of a tube,
then the means for forming 30 can include a means for forming the
continuous ribbon 19 into a tube 42 including a hollow forming
horn, tube or funnel 40. As can be understood from FIG. 7, the
flexible film roll stock 13 as it is drawn from its rolled
condition is urged or formed on forming horn or funnel 40 into a
tube or trough-like configuration 42. The marginal portions or free
ends 21A and 21B of the stock 12 are urged into engagement and are
heated by and the container forming means 30 can additionally
include, a first vertically oriented sealer 32 to form a
length-wise or longitudinally extending sealing together or seal 18
of the tube 42 that becomes the container or pouch 10. The film 13
can contain repetitive graphics and other display information
(e.g., ingredients listings, nutritional information, usage
instructions, used container recycling information, production
codes, etc.) in a repetitive pattern including station indexing
indicia.
[0037] In one specific illustrative embodiment for the production
of bulk bags having an internal volume of about 3-5 liters, the
film stock 13 can have a width of about 50-65 cm.
[0038] Container forming means 30 can additionally include an upper
horizontal or transverse sealer 34 that seals the bottom of the
tube 42 being formed by the forming means 30 to provide a first
lower transverse seal or closure 20 having an oblique angle. To
provide a lower transverse seal having an oblique angle, the upper
sealer 34 can be positioned at the desired oblique angle relative
to vertical.
[0039] Container forming means 30 can additionally include a second
lower horizontal or transverse sealer 36 to provide an upper
transverse seal or closure 22 having an oblique angle seals the
upper end of a preceding envelope 42 that results in a completed
pouch or bag 10. To provide in the preferred form an upper
transverse seal having an oblique angle, the second or lower sealer
36 can be positioned at the desired oblique angle relative to
vertical. In other variations, sealers 24 and 26 can be oriented at
an obtuse angle relative to vertical.
[0040] In the preferred form, sealer means 32, 34 and 36 can be a
heat sealer and can comprise a pair heat seal jaws to provide a
heat seal type seal and the film 13 can be a heat sealable type
packaging film. In another embodiment, the sealers 32, 34 and 36
can be a pressure sealer comprising a pair of pressure jaws and
used to impart a pressure seal and film material 13 can be a
pressure sealable film packaging material rollstock.
[0041] Forming means 30 can additionally include a cutter means 38
for severing the lower container 10 that has already been completed
from the yet to be completed envelope configuration 42.
Conveniently as depicted in FIG. 5, cutter means 38 (e.g., a knife)
can be positioned intermediate sealers 34 and 36. In the preferred
embodiment of parallel transverse acute angled seals, a single
cutter can be employed that is likewise oriented at an angle to
provide a cut parallel to the transverse seals.
[0042] The seal jaws 34 and 36 are operated at timed intervals
associated with the roll stock supply advance speed to provide bag
of desired length and thus internal storage volume. In a preferred
illustrative example for the provision of bags having an internal
volume of about 3-5 liters, the bag length between transverse seals
can extend for a length or height of about 35-60 cm, preferably
about 40-50 cm.
[0043] Attention is now directed to contents supply means 41 that
delivers a measured quantity or supply of contents 46 from an upper
hopper (not shown) into the envelope or trough 42 that results in
the completed pouch 10. The contents can be either liquid, or, in
the preferred form, solid particulates especially free flowing
particulates. The particulates can be individual pieces of food
such as RTE cereal, pet rations or livestock feed rations, popcorn
(whether popped or kernel popcorn), fried snacks (e.g., potato
chips, corn chips), peanuts, candies, gelled shaped fruit pieces,
etc. The contents can be non food application particulates such as
water softener salt pellets, landscaping materials such as pebbles
or mulch, fertilizer pellets, pool chemicals (e.g., chlorination
pellets). In other minor variations, the particulates can be
smaller sized such as foods including flours, baking mixes, bulk
ingredients, e.g., sugar, milk solids, salt, starch, chocolate
powder, soy flour. Non food smaller particulates can include
cement, sand, mortar mix or joint compound or any common dry
material.
[0044] Contents supply means 44 can be seen to include the inner
passageway 43 of funnel 40. The flow of the contents 46 is
downwardly such as by gravity feed as indicated by an direction
arrow 44. In certain variations, the contents supply 44 can
additionally include dust control elements such as a vacuum (not
shown) or headspace gas supply (for controlled atmosphere
packaging, e.g., nitrogen, CO.sub.2,). In other variations, more
than one type of contents can be supplied to the bag or container
10 to provide blends of contents. In still other variations, the
vacuum or air removal can be practiced to provide a bag 10 having a
reduced air or even vacuum packaging.
[0045] After sealing by the sealers 32, 34 and 36, the
abovementioned severance by the cutter 38 enables the completed
filled bag 10 to fall gravitationally onto a take away conveyor 50
there beneath, the directional movement of the completed bag 10 for
subsequent placement in cases or cartons being indicated by the
arrows 48.
[0046] Of course, while the present invention finds particular
suitability for use in connection with vertical form and fill bag,
the present invention can also be used in horizontal form and fill
flexible bag packaging equipment.
[0047] Now that the basic construction of apparatus 100 according
to the preferred teachings of the present invention have been set
forth, a method of operation of apparatus 10 for the production of
bags or containers 10 can be explained and some of the advantages
of apparatus 100 can be highlighted.
[0048] In its method of preparation aspect, the present invention
resides in methods of forming bag 10 having at least on transverse
seal at an oblique angle. The methods can comprise a first step of
providing a continuous supply of flexible film packaging material
in the form of a continuous roll or ribbon of film rollstock as
described in detail above.
[0049] As the film stock is drawn or unwound from the roll, the
present methods can include the step of forming or folding the
ribbon of film into an envelope or trough-like configuration by a
forming mechanism to form a partially formed bag having an upper
opening. This step can include the bringing together in confronting
relationship the marginal or opposed free edges of the ribbon or
strip of film material. The step can further include the sub-step
of sealing the marginal portions thereof to provide a
longitudinally extending seal. In preferred form, the free edges
are brought together so as to form a lap seal.
[0050] The forming step can further include a sub-step of forming a
lower transverse seal of the bottom of the envelope or trough-like
configuration just formed. The forming step can further include a
sub-step of forming a second upper transverse sealing therebelow
that seals and closes the top or upper opening of the preceding or
previously formed bag, thereby completing the closing of the
preceding bag. In preferred form, each transverse seal is at an
oblique angle (relative to vertical or longitudinally extending fin
or lap seal). In more preferred form, each oblique angled
transverse seal is at an equal angle such that the transverse seals
are parallel. Also, the method is preferably practiced (such as by
placement of the first and second means relative placement in
respect of each other) to provide the upper transverse seal with
about 10-20 mm of extra film material such as to provide a end
opening flaps proximate the upper transverse seal.
[0051] During the forming step, the methods can include a step of
adding or supplying a quantity of contents (and whatever other
ingredients are to be included) through the funnel or other channel
means into the folded configuration as the envelope or trough is
longitudinally sealed along marginal portions thereof.
[0052] The present forming step can additionally include a sub-step
of severing or cutting the preceding pouch, which has been filled
and sealed, between the two transverse seals. The bag 10 so
prepared are each characterized by at least one transverse seal
being at an oblique angle. The bags 10 are permitted to fall freely
onto a takeaway conveyor 50 therebeneath. Thus, the bags are
successively severed or cut from the laminated stock to provide a
series of filled bags which are deposited on a conveyor.
[0053] Upon opening, the oblique angled seal provides a natural use
easy pour dispensing feature. The bag is intuitively and
ergonomically easy to use to facilitate controlled pouring without
spilling. The bag are especially useful for bulk particulate
contents especially consumer food products such as ready-to-eat
cereals for use in food service venues such as universities and
hospitals. For, example, containers of the present invention can be
used to hold quantities of Ready-To-Eat cereals that are then used
to fill cereal dispensers. The containers also find particular
suitability for use in cafeterias for elementary schools where the
bags' cereal contents are used to fill manually a large number of
bowls with small quantities of ready-to-eat cereals for children.
In such use environments, minimization of loss or spillage is a
special concern.
[0054] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *